Lamine Yamal treated himself to a McDonalds on his private jet after winning his second Laureus award.
The Barcelona winger is one of football’s biggest stars and his talent was recognised with the inaugural Young Sportsperson of the Year prize.
Yamal, 18, was honoured once again at the ceremony after being handed the Breakthrough Sportsperson of the Year award in 2025.
The Laureus awards are a global awards ceremony celebrating the world’s greatest talent across sport – not just football.
Since the event launched in 2000, Lionel Messi has been the only footballer to claim the top award for Sportsmen of the Year.
Yamal has become the youngest athlete to win two Laureus awards after his stunning rise to the top of the game.
He has scored 23 goals this season, chipping in with 15 assists, and looks likely to win a third La Liga title with Barca.
Yamal has already won the European Championships with Spain in 2024 and finished as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
And after lifting the prize, Yamal enjoyed a much-deserved McDonalds takeaway on his jet as he posted a picture of himself eating nuggets and fries.
Alongside the photo he wrote: “Quick trip! @laureussport.”
After collecting his prize on stage, Yamal said: “I am very happy to be the first to receive this award for best young athlete. It is a source of pride.
“I am grateful that my contributions to our team in 2025 are being recognised with this Laureus.
“I believe that sport has the power to change the world. This statuette represents a new generation of athletes who can bring about that change. I am proud to be the first to receive this Laureus.”
Yamal then decided to pay tribute to Barcelona legend Messi and said he hoped to emulate his success at the Nou Camp.
“When you realize an athlete isn’t just a legend of their sport but of all sports – Messi, who for me is the best player in history, and if he isn’t the greatest athlete ever, he’s definitely in that conversation with all of them,”
“He’s more than an idol. I think everyone respects him for everything he’s done.
“He’s been part of the childhood of every kid when we played in the park or at school, and I hope I’ll be able to follow in his footsteps.”
Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz was presented with Sportsman of the Year at the ceremony, seeing off PSG’s Ousmane Dembele.
Aryna Sabalenka collected the women’s prize, while PSG were named team of the year after their Champions League triumph.
Lando Norris was awarded breakthrough of the year – the same prize Yamal won last year – after his first ever F1 world title triumph.
